COSA's annual plan projects flat funding for services

UPPER PROVIDENCE — The 2014-15 annual plan for the Delaware County Office of Services for the Aging projected flat funding for most of its services, a reflection of the prevailing state budget uncertainty in Harrisburg.

However, COSA Director Denise Stewart remained hopeful that the state again will provide special funding for the county’s Options program, which is funded by Pennsylvania Lottery proceeds. The state forwarded more than $800,000 last year, enabling COSA to provide an additional 160 seniors with heating oil, 170 seniors with home repairs and 80 seniors with home-delivered meals.

Stewart said she hopes lawmakers make note of the large population of seniors living in southeastern Pennsylvania.

“We have a big mouth,” Stewart said. “We have a voice and we want the legislators to hear us.”

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The General Assembly is attempting to eliminate a projected $1.3 billion structural deficit from the state budget, which must by passed by July 1. Republican leaders have said they prefer to pass a budget without raising taxes or seeking new revenue streams, which means funding for various state programs could be slashed.

The annual plan, revealed Thursday, must be submitted to the Pennsylvania Department of Aging for approval.

COSA receives most of its funding through the Pennsylvania Department of Aging Block Grants and the state Department of Public Welfare’s Office of Long Term Living Medicaid Funds. It also receives some funding from federal and local sources.

That funding covers various services, including COSA’s eight senior centers, several health and wellness programs, the Family Caregiver Support program and the Options program, which provides adult day services, personal care, housekeeping and respite care.

COSA projects to receive $14.86 million, down from the $16.18 million it received last fiscal year. About half of that is spent on home and community-based services. Another 25 percent is spent on community services. The rest is allocated to administration costs, protective services, informational services and demonstration projects.

The drop in funding is mostly attributed to the elimination of the Community-based Care Transitions program, which will be cut after July because the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid decided to cease its federal funding. The program was established to prevent patients from being readmitted into a hospital within 30 days of care, an effort designed to reduce Medicare costs.

Stewart said CMS was pleased that COSA’s program reduced the readmission rate from 19.68 percent to 9 percent. However, she said, CMS wanted to see higher enrollment figures. Stewart said COSA’s program was one of 100 in the country; about 15 are ceasing.

“It’s a shame,” Stewart said. “That’s the whole purpose — to reduce the number of readmissions.”

COSA also is advocating for an increased reimbursement rate from the state for its Aging Waiver Program, which provides medical assistance to seniors in need of nursing home care.

About the Author

John Kopp is a reporter for the Delaware County Daily Times, who covers state and county politics. Follow him on Twitter @DT_JohnKopp Reach the author at jkopp@delcotimes.com
or follow John on Twitter: @DT_JohnKopp.